The Chicago Farmers have invited Teresa Opheim, Executive Director of Practical Farmers of Iowa, to share her experiences working with farm and farmland owners on succession planning. As the play “Map of My Kingdom” brought to life at The Chicago Farmers last spring, most estate plans actually fail to achieve their goals, despite all the best intentions. But why? Teresa will discuss the pitfalls of overemphasizing taxes or thinking mutually exclusive goals will resolve themselves (e.g., fair vs. equal, ownership vs. control, or passion for farming vs. economies of scale). These are tough, emotional and financial issues, but Teresa will explain a process for formulating a succession plan that strengthens the family, the farm, the community, and the legacies of everyone involved.